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Zander looked all about as they walked, trying to take in as much of the manor as possible. He hadn't known what really to expect of a palace for a rat king, but in the back of his mind, he'd imagined something like a giant Habitrail. What he could see, though, seemed more like what he would expect of a spaceship from a sci-fi movie. The inside walls were made of a smooth material, seamless and immaculate. There were no abrupt corners. The transitions from floor to walls to ceiling were gentle curves.

As they walked, they periodically passed motionless rats standing as sentries at various doorways. Each one dipped his head and brought his tail under his chin, in what appeared to be the standard salute or gesture of respect for Antonio. In return, the king would touch each one momentarily with the tip of his tail as he passed, but did not slow his pace at all.

"So, uh," Zander asked, becoming uncomfortable with the silence. "How many children do you have, anyway?"

"At last count, four hundred and fifty-nine. You shall meet them all, of course." Antonio shot him a sideways glance, and gave him what passed for a grin on the furry face. "Don't worry, though. I will not expect you to remember all their names." He lowered his voice. "To be truthful, I don't always remember all their names, either."

“It is the artist who realizes that there is a supreme force above him and works gladly away as a small apprentice under God's heaven.” ~ Alexandr Solzhenitsyn

Producing a slightly hairy cheese puff from a hidden pouch deep within his belly fur elicited oohs and ahs from the excited b-rats creating an echo along the smooth walls which soon exploded into a cacophony of scampering little feet.

"Seriously sir, must you always create such a flurry upon returning from your travels," inquired a matronly white furred rat who I later learned was headmistress Fiona who ran the estates rapidly expanding school.

Last edited by beaedwards on Fri May 03, 2013 8:37 pm, edited 3 times in total.

Unbeknown to Zander and Antonio, their tour did not go unnoticed. Perched at the top of a high Redwood, Aero eyes the company of heroes, all the while his talons continue to dig into the branch.

"So it has started," he says into the air. "Go, report everything we've seen."

At his command, a mighty eagle flaps his wings, sending air currents that tear a few leaves from their place, and they sail down to the ground, landing on a lump of grass. Aero laughs, "he will never see me coming!" He releases his death grip on the branch and soars into the sky.

The little lump of grass rises and smiles, "oh, he will know Lord Aero."

The little field mouse, throwing off his disguise, scampers off to warn the king.

Last edited by iRoswell on Fri May 03, 2013 8:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

"Lo my liege, I see you utter English." He bowed deeply. "For I was captured into the belly of Jonah's whale and spat upon your laden porch, unsuspecting, but nevertheless an here. My last ventures in Klingon land lauded cheese straws and expecting same I blindly uttered the former wish. My I suggest limburger Cheetos in the future, it would match your ...